It's All About the White Crew Sock

You might think that the most important staple piece a man can have in his wardrobe is a white T-shirt. You might think it’s the perfect pair of jeans, or a tailored oxford shirt, or even a versatile piece of outerwear, something as timeless as a leather jacket or as trendy as a Detroit jacket. Well, if you think any of those things, I hate to break it to ya, but you’re wrong. The most important item a man can own is a white crew sock.

Granted, I know that it sounds trivial. Socks are like underwear—they’re necessities! Everybody has socks, and most people already have white crew socks, at that. But, listen: When you’re putting together your outfit, you should be thinking about it from head to toe, and that really means to toe. A white crew sock is small but mighty in its power. It brings a look together, makes much more of a point than, say, an ankle sock or a no-show.

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Paul Mescal aces the white crew sock and black loafer look.

There aren’t many ways you can go wrong with a white crew sock, but there are a whole lot of ways you can go right. My personal favorite look is the white sock, black loafer combo. It’s clean. It’s classic. It can be casual, if you dress it down, but it’s traditional enough to be a little bit dressy, too. When your outfit is taken in from a distance, the white sock is noted and appreciated. It’s simple and sophisticated; not distracting, like a patterned sock, or unnecessary, like a no-show, or bordering on school girl-esque, like a calf or knee sock. The white crew sock is approachable. It couldn’t be easier to style. It’s part of your outfit, like any other garment you’re wearing.

If you’re the kind of guy who wears sunglasses even when it isn’t particularly sunny, or a baseball cap even when you aren’t playing baseball, then you already get the appeal of a white crew sock moment. It just looks cool (not to mention, is very functional).

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Justin Bieber’s white crew socks get a moment with a pair of slippers.

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Adam Sandler embraces the power of a dressed-down white crew sock.

Dress ’em up with your best dress shoes. Dress ’em down with slides and basketball shorts. Get a pair that’s solid, or a pair with a cheeky little logo. Just make sure you’ve stocked up on white crew socks.